Twin Dolphin - Bradenton - Part 2

Sunday 07/05/20

Sunday was more of a work day, given that I had a little more energy.  Marcia worked inside doing some laundry and cleaning up.  I went to work in the engine room.  I flushed the engines with fresh water as well as the generator.  The AC strainer was full of goop.  I think there was actually stuff growing in it.  The hose would not clean it out, so I had to use the bronze wire brush to get it clean.  I have been told that with the water temperature around 90 degrees, this needs to be at least a weekly chore.  We ate a late lunch and then decided to walk up and around town.  Most places were closed on Sunday, but it was good to stretch our legs. 

After some discussion, we decided that we would plan to leave to drive home on Saturday.  It will be a little later start as there are some things that need to get done on the boat the day we leave. 

Monday 07/06/20

Tom and Tammy Wagner reached out to us and we made plans to meet up with them for lunch on Monday.  I worked with Tom at P&G, and they were down visiting his parents and their daughter in Sarasota.  They met us at the boat and then we went over to Cortez to the Starfish Fish Co.  It was a great lunch spot that they go to when they are down.  We all got fresh grouper which was excellent and it was a nice spot on the Intracostal.

After lunch Tom drove us around to see Longboat Key and Anna Maria Island, and then back to the boat.  It was a fun day.  After dinner we did the Riverwalk again and went all the way to Caddy's.  It was about a 3/4 of a cigar walk, or just over a mile for those that do not use cigars to judge distance.  (you have have to check with my brother Don for the exact scale). 

Tuesday 07/07/20

We had made arrangements to rent a car today and check out the area.  We Uber'ed to the airport and picked up the car.  We did a quick stop at Bealls to see if anything "jumped" out at us.  I did manage to find a cheap pair of sunglasses to replace a pair that did not hold up and a tee shirt.  Marcia looked and tried but was unable to find anything.  After Bealls we drove through the Inlets again just to look around.  We went to a local place for lunch that we will definitely go back to.  Great food and it was very reasonably priced.  Marcia asked for a box when they brought the food as she knew she would not be able to finish the Hawaiian Tuna Salad.  Think tuna salad with a pineapple and melted cheese.  After lunch we did a quick stop back at the boat and then went to see the Bradenton Yacht Club.  We got the full tour.  Very nice place with heated pool in the winter and chilled pool in the summer.  I liked the 3 bars, lounge bar, pool bar and tiki bar.  They seem to have a lot of clubs and activities.  Membership was on par with most other Yacht Clubs in Florida.  It was a nice surprise to find how reasonable the boat slip would be if we decided to join.  There are only about 5 slips that the boat would fit into, but the wait list was not long.  After the tour, we drove down Sneed Island and then to Publix.  We did not need much we are now trying to use up the food we have before we leave on Saturday.  We did pick up steaks, stuffed potato skins and rainbow sherbet for dinner with Alyssa.  We drove out to Alyssa's house (aka - Elaine and Glen's - Marcia's sister).  After a tour of the house we cooked up dinner and had dessert.   Again we said goodbye to Alyssa and headed back to the boat.  We talked with Mark Kalb, and he said he was going to drive up for a visit on Wednesday.

Wednesday 07/08/20   

I had to return the rental car this morning, so I made arrangements with Mark just to pick me up at the airport.  It was kind of on his way.  I gave him the tour of the Marina and where the boat was.  He offered to check up on things in the event of a storm.  It is good to know that he is only an hour away if needed.  We did some line adjustments getting the boat ready for our departure.  It was noon somewhere, so we had a few beers and a cigar on the bridge.  We had lunch on the boat as we are trying to use up food - remember?  We said goodbye to Mark and our plan was to put the dinghy in and play around.  The wind had a different plan.  Strong wind made the river too rough to enjoy a dinghy ride, so we decide to go to the pool instead.  We had the place to ourselves.

We took our standard after dinner walk and then back to the boat.

Thursday 07/09/20

Thursday was chore day again.  Marcia doing laundry, defrosting the freezer and started getting things packed up that need to go home.  Amazing how much stuff gets packed into the boat.  I worked outside, covering the dinghy, water proofing the cockpit cover, removing the bimini top, etc...  It is hurricane season down here.   We had debated about taking the dinghy out today, but the wind was about the same if not worse than yesterday.  You would think it would be cooler with the wind, but it isn't.  We were tired from all the packing, so we only walked up to the ice cream shop.

Friday 07/10/20

There was a lot to do today as we are planning to head out tomorrow.  After cooking up and eating breakfast, we went to work.  I cleaned the AC strainer again and checked the batteries water.  Marcia still packing things up inside.  We decide to take a break and walk over to Pier 22 for lunch.  We sat at the bar and had a cocktail.   I had to order the Jambalaya and Marcia got the chicken salad.  Again, FYI, you don't need to get the Jambalaya extra spicy.  We were in the AC but I was still sweating.

After lunch we did some more packing and then went to pick up the rental car.  There was not much to choose from, so I guess my good rental car streak is coming to an end.  Most of the car is now packed with only a few things that need to go in tomorrow.  Final flush on the AC, clean the grey water tank, set up the dehumidifier, flush and drain fresh water, etc... We are hoping to get on the road around 9:30 in the morning.  There a quite a few things that need to get done on the boat before we leave that can't be done until morning.  If all goes well, we should be home on Sunday evening.  We are planning to stop North of Atlanta for the night.

Oh Yeah - Cluck Norris has decided that he is going to stay and keep and eye on things.  He is alive and doing well for those that have been wondering.  He seems very happy in his nest.  He is coming up on his 1 year birthday since we got him at the Craig's Creek Raft Up.

Stay tuned.

Twin Dolphin Marina - Bradenton FL Part 1

Wednesday, 7/1/20 - Saturday, 7/4/20
So we are now in Bradenton and are planning to stay here until March of next year when we will hopefully resume our Loop Trip up the East Coast and Great Lakes.  Covid strikes again.  Let me start with some overall statics for what we are calling Phase 3 and total since we left Cincinnati back in September of 2019.

Phase 3
Total miles - 368
Total days - 38
Travel days - 14
Engine hours - 41

Total Trip
Total miles - 3667
Total days - 158
Travel days - 68
Engine hours - 321
Oil changes - 2

We have been here a little over a week now, so I will just give a quick summary of the days.

Wednesday 7/1/20
We said our goodbyes to Alyssa and left Longboat Key around 10:30.  Not far to go to get to Bradenton, so we just took it slow.  We had to wait for the Cortez bridge to open, which was on a 20 minute schedule.  I decided to play with the camera and take some pictures as we waited.

Leaving Longboat Key

Waiting for Cortez Bridge

 We turned right when we got to Tampa Bay, and then turned right again to head up the Manatee River.  We arrived at Twin Dolphin Marina in Bradenton around lunchtime.

Twin Dolphin Marina

Once we got the boat fueled up, tied up, ate lunch, and checked in, I went to work cleaning some of the boat.  I did a good wash on the bridge, dinghy and back of the boat.  Marcia was cleaning inside.  We cleaned up and took a walk on the Riverwalk after dinner.

Interesting tree

Thursday 7/2/20

Marcia had made arrangements for a realtor to take us to look at the Inlets neighborhood and to look at a couple of houses.  Just getting an idea of the area and what the houses look like.  After lunch, I went to work washing the front of the boat.  Marcia was cleaning inside as we had made plans to take Alyssa and a couple of her friends out for a cruise on Friday.  We walked up into town and ate O'bricks Irish Pub.  After dinner we walked back to the boat but first Marcia had to try the ice cream from the Ice Cream shop right here at the marina.

Friday 7/3/20

On Friday, Alyssa, her friend Randy and other friend Kate showed up around 1:00.  Kate brought a gift of Peach Moonshine.  We took a nice cruise down to Cortez and then came back to the river and anchored out at a beach.  It was a good decision to get in and cool off.   Alyssa and Kate enjoyed riding on the bow. 

After we got back to the dock, we decided to walk over to the Oak and Stone for pizza.  Kate's husband Alex met us there also.

This was a pretty cool place.  They give a wrist band that you use to get whatever beer you want.  They probably had about 50 beer taps.  You tap your band and you only pay for the beer you pour.  Nice if you want to try several different beers.  It was nice that Randy picked up Marcia's and my check.  During dinner it was discovered that Alyssa and Randy had never seen the movie Captain Ron.  After leaving Kate and Alex the 4 of us headed back to the boat to watch Captain Ron.  (yes, I just happened to have it on the boat - go figure).  After the movie we played Rummikub again.  Marcia was the overall winner on the night.  Alyssa actually won a game.  Was a long day so we called it a night.  In the morning we walked over to Pier 22 for breakfast.  I had to get a Bloody Mary as they were on special.  Alyssa got one as well and so Marcia got a Mimosa.

We said goodbye to Alyssa with plans to meet up with her at her house (Elaine and Glen's house) on Tuesday for dinner.  It was not a productive day for me.  Pretty much laid on the couch all day.  I think I was over-served.  Marcia did some laundry and straightening up.  After dinner we took another walk on the Riverwalk. 

Sarasota - Longboat Key

Miles - 6

Tuesday June 30th.

On Tuesday morning we left Marina Jack's and headed almost right across the bay to Longboat Key.  We did manage to snap a few pictures of the boats at Marina Jack's before we left.  Just to put things in prospective, you can see Boyle-n-Water on the right.  45 feet never looked so small.  :)

 I am guessing that these also belong to someone in a higher tax bracket than us.

We arrived at Longboat Key just before lunch time.  Marina here is very nice with a pool, shower house, ship store and restaurant.  When we check in, we found out that the restaurant was not going to be open today.  Also the shuttle that would normally take you 3 miles down the road to the resort for the beach was not running either.  We were not too concerned as Alyssa was meeting us around 1:30 here at the marina and she can drive us to the resort beach.  When Alyssa got there, we left for the beach.

Alyssa did show up bearing gifts for Marcia and I.

The resort and beach is very nice.  Two free lounge chairs were provided and we rented an umbrella.  A must have in this heat.  Beers were purchased and brought to us in grocery bag filled with ice.

 After a few hours on the beach, we went back to the boat and got cleaned up for dinner.  Alyssa drove us to the Dry Dock restaurant.   Food and view was great.

 After dinner we went back to the boat and enjoyed the sunset up on the bridge.  Alyssa did find a nice 80 Ocean Alexander that she liked.

Alyssa's new boat - she might need me to drive it.

After sunset we went inside and I beat Marcia and Alyssa in a couple of games of Rummikub (thanks Nell).  We all slept good and we cooked up breakfast in the morning.  Alyssa's friend Kate stopped by and joined us as well.  We hung out for a bit and said our goodbyes, but made plans to try and take a cruise on Friday.  We cast lines off and headed for our winter destination in Bradenton.

Sarasota

Miles today 17

Sunday 06/28/20

So we only had to travel 17 miles today, so we took our time getting up and getting ready to leave.  We finally pulled out of the Crows Nest around 10:00.  We went past Pop's again, but not much happening on a Sunday morning.

It was a slow moving day as there were a few bridges that we had to wait for plus most of it was "no wake" zones.  It was still a nice ride into Marina Jacks in Sarasota.  We are in just about the same location as we were when we were here back in November.

Hey Mark Evans - found you a winter home.

Sarasota skyline coming into Marina Jacks

Once we got the boat tied up, we decided to drop the dinghy in the water and play for a few hours.  We went over to The Salty Dog for a couple of cold drafts.

After the Salty Dog, we cruised past a sandbar with a few boats anchored and swimming.  We did not swim but cruised through heading for O'Leary's.  As we were tying up at the dock, a lady leaving on her boat told us we needed to get the Pina Colada's.  They did not disappoint.  Of course mine is on the right with the 151 floater. :)

Back at the boat, I put away the dinghy and we rested for awhile.  We were tired, so it was just a quick dinner on the boat. 

Monday 06/29/20

Mark (Kalb), called on Sunday to let us know that he was going to be in Sarasota running an errand and we made plans to meet up at the boat.  He got there around 11:00 and he drove us over to St. Armand's Square.  We walked around for a couple of hours and went into a few shops, but did not buy much.  On shop is worth mentioning.  It was one of the last shops we were going in called Dripping Wet.  (Swim suits and such).  As we walked in the 2 young ladies in halter tops and daisy dukes (look it up if you don't remember Dukes of Hazard) said that there was cold beer on ice in the cooler.  Needless to say this was the best shop.  After walking around we decided to go grab lunch.  Mark had never been to Salty Dog, and we had not eaten there so that is where we decided to go.  A short drive later, we are at the Dog ordering lunch.  The gumbo was good and I had to order the Salty Dog.  Deep fried hot dog with onions, mushrooms, cheese, and bacon.  I skipped the sauerkraut.  Marcia got the regular dog.

Mark dropped us back off at the boat and he headed South.  We rested for a bit and then walked up to Marina Jack's for dinner.  After dinner we did take a walk around but not sure if it offset the intake.  

We had originally planned to spend 3 nights at Marina Jack's, but changed our mind and made reservations at Longboat Key Mooring and Resort.  Marcia talked to her niece Alyssa and we made plans to meet up with her tomorrow.  

Next post will be Longboat Key - you will just have to wait.